Snow on the roof

Is there a difference between the God you serve today and the one you served in your youth? Some might be quick to admit they 'feel' as though there is a difference, but he is the same God! It is our relationship with him that has changed - our perspective has changed. We see him differently because of all that we have been through with him over the years, but he remains consistently the same. I think we interpret his love differently, appreciate his presence deeper, and relish his comfort more. Our 'age' has placed us in a different 'frame of mind' as it comes to seeing, appreciating, and enjoying the work of God in our lives.

Even when you are old I will be the same. And even when your hair turns white, I will help you. I will take care of what I have made. I will carry you, and will save you. (Isaiah 46:4)

Even when you are old...

I guess it goes without saying that with each new day dawning on the horizon, we are getting just a little bit older. We aren't guaranteed the 'new dawn', but when it comes, we breathe in a new day and begin to take 'action' with what we have been given in that day. In my youth and exuberance to conquer the world, I remember taking very little time to appreciate the dawn. In my older age, I actually relish the sunrise. I observe the awakening of the world around me as light begins to filter into dark places little by little, life seemingly returning to the world. Appreciate the day you are given, my friends, for you are not sure what tomorrow will bring.

When we are old, he remains the same...

He was there to help us in our youth, he will be there to help us in our old age. He takes care of what he has made along the entire spectrum of that life. It is actually you and I that seem to go 'in and out' of the awareness of his presence with us, his protection over our lives, and his power manifest when we were powerless in circumstances totally outside of our control. He isn't going 'in and out' of our lives. In fact, he is the 'constant' that keeps us centered, makes us whole when life chips away at us, and brings us into perfect peace when all around us is determined to keep us tossing to and fro.

Even when your hair turns white...

He will help us. I imagine we need his help as much in our youth as we do in our old age, but we don't usually learn to appreciate his help as much in our youth. I think we stop to take notice as we age - to consider and ponder just a little more. I think we allow ourselves to let go of some of the stuff that occupied so much space in our minds, leaving us room to consider him just a little bit more. We 'make space' for him because we have learned his ways are much more reliable than our own. We trust his movement in our lives because we have seen where his steps lead. 

Some view old age as a thing to be feared - I view it as a time when God gets just a little closer. It isn't that he ever was 'far away', but we now begin to recognize just how close he has been all along. We find greater comfort in knowing he is there - perhaps because our own strength begins to wane a little, making us much more appreciative of how much we need his strength. Snow on the roof doesn't mean we are slowing down in our love for Jesus - it often means we are just learning to be comfortable snuggling into his arms a little bit more. Just sayin!

How surefooted are you?

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 

(Habakkuk 3:19 NLT)

How "surefooted" are you these days? Mom shared with me last night that she is feeling a little less than steady on her feet these days. It is apparent that she is shuffling her feet a little more and she is definitely not "putting the miles on" her legs like she used to as she ages. It is also apparent to me that these physiologic changes in her body bring with them mental and spiritual changes, as well. Herein is the rub for many of us where it comes to "growing on in years" with Jesus. It isn't that we are engaged in the activities of growing up so much, but that we are "growing on". We find ourselves appreciating or even considering truth in a new way. It is as though things we might have missed while we were doing all that "growing up" somehow makes sense now!

A deer is pretty doggone surefooted, but as a tiny fawn is born into this world, do we observe that same "surefooted" stance? Nope! In fact, they are kind of wobbly on those spindly legs at first and eventually they get a little bit "bouncy" and "flouncy" in their jumping about, exploring new things and facing the challenges of discovery. The tiny baby begins to grow up and in turn, all that energy of youth gives them tremendous ability to bound here and there, jumping high in the tall summer grass, and exploring new things with vigor and what appears to be limitless stamina. As the deer grows, it adds "weight" and begins to develop into the adult stages of life. In those stages, the deer is still rather nimble and able to take on the new challenges of difficult paths and hard climbs, not because it wants to climb higher, but because it knows there is provision awaiting them within the climb. There remains lots of "muscle" and pretty much limitless energies. In this stage, there is a lot of time and effort put into nurturing the offspring produced and training them to be safe and secure in their own "walk".

As the deer advances, carrying more and more weight, it struggles to be as nimble as it once was. While it remains "surefooted", the wisdom in where it makes its footing is more and more apparent. It doesn't strive for the unexplored path as much, but trusts in the ones that have proven to be rewarding time and time again. We have passed on wisdom along the way, leading little ones young in their faith to grow up and grow strong. As we grow on in years walking with Jesus, we have accumulated the weight that matters - the wisdom of the years and the weight of his truth within. We know where to find our footing and where it makes sense to look for our provision. We find ourselves exploring less and trusting more. Why? Is it because we are "growing old" in our walk? Not necessarily. It may just mean that we are more aware of our ability, his provision, and how those two intersect. In this sense, we have become "surefooted" in our trek with Jesus. We are trusting his path much more than we used to and we are stable in our walk as a result. Just sayin!